Ateneo - UPO

The course provides fundamental and applied knowledge of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, with particular focus on physical principles, image formation, the main acquisition sequences and their diagnostic applications.The course covers spin, precession, Larmor frequency, T1 and T2 relaxation, longitudinal and transverse magnetization, Free Induction Decay, Spin Echo and Gradient Echo. Further topics include the Fourier Transform, K-space, spatial encoding gradients, T1-weighted, T2-weighted and proton density-weighted imaging, 2D, multi-slice and 3D acquisition geometries, the most common artefacts and advanced sequences such as diffusion, perfusion, DTI/Fiber Tracking and MR spectroscopy.

Teaching materials provided by the lecturer and made available on the course platform.Recommended supplementary resources:Questions and Answers in MRI.Educational MRI simulators for sequences, K-space and image formation.Westbrook C., MRI in Practice.McRobbie D.W. et al., MRI from Picture to Proton.Haacke E.M. et al., Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Physical Principles and Sequence Design.

The course aims to provide students with structured knowledge of the physical, technical and applied principles of Magnetic Resonance Imaging. This knowledge is essential to understand the image acquisition process, the selection of sequences and the optimization of technical parameters.By the end of the course, students should be able to understand the mechanisms underlying the MR signal, distinguish the main image weightings and sequences, recognize the factors affecting contrast, resolution and signal-to-noise ratio, identify the most common artefacts and understand the role of advanced techniques in clinical practice.

Basic knowledge of physics, anatomy, physiology and diagnostic imaging is required.Preliminary knowledge of the general principles of radiological imaging, the anatomy of the main body regions, and the basic concepts of signal, contrast, spatial resolution and digital image representation is recommended.

Lectures supported by multimedia teaching materials.Guided discussion of the main physical and technical concepts of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.Use of sample images, online simulators, interactive resources and training quizzes to consolidate understanding of acquisition principles, sequences and artefacts.Reasoned analysis of practical examples related to the main image weightings, conventional and advanced sequences, and their use in different clinical settings.

Teaching materials will be made available on the course platform.Online supplementary resources, interactive simulators and self-assessment quizzes will be provided to support individual study and preparation for the final examination.Active participation in lectures and use of the supplementary materials are strongly recommended, as they help connect the physical principles of MRI with technical and diagnostic practice.

Learning will be assessed through a final written examination, mainly consisting of multiple-choice questions and/or questions designed to evaluate the understanding of physical principles, acquisition sequences, technical parameters, artefacts and clinical applications of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.The examination may include theoretical questions, interpretation of technical concepts, recognition of the main MRI weightings and evaluation of the appropriate use of sequences in relation to the clinical question.Training quizzes available during the course are intended as formative tools and preparation for the final assessment.

The course programme includes:Physical principles of Magnetic Resonance Imaging: protons, spin, static magnetic field, alignment, precession, Larmor frequency, radiofrequency pulse and spin flip.Magnetization and relaxation: longitudinal and transverse magnetization, T1 relaxation, T2 relaxation, T2* decay, relationship between relaxation times and image contrast.MRI image weightings: T1-weighted, T2-weighted and proton density-weighted images; meaning of tissue contrast and role of TR and TE parameters.Types of signal: Free Induction Decay, Spin Echo and Gradient Echo; technical differences, advantages, limitations and main practical applications.Magnetic gradients and spatial encoding: slice-selection gradient, phase-encoding gradient, frequency-encoding gradient and spatial localization of the signal.Image formation: Fourier Transform, Inverse Fourier Transform, raw data acquisition, K-space, low and high spatial frequencies, relationship between K-space, contrast and resolution.Image quality parameters: signal-to-noise ratio, spatial resolution, voxel size, acquisition time, number of averages, magnetic field strength and technical trade-offs.MRI artefacts: chemical shift, magnetic susceptibility, motion, aliasing, zipper artifact and main strategies for recognition and reduction.Acquisition geometries: 2D, multi-slice 2D and 3D acquisitions; pixel, voxel, slice thickness, gap, multiplanar reconstructions and MIP projections.Spin Echo sequences: operating principles, T1, T2, proton density, Multi-Echo Spin Echo, Fast Spin Echo/Turbo Spin Echo and Ultra-Fast Spin Echo.Inversion Recovery sequences: general principles, inversion time, STIR for fat suppression and FLAIR for cerebrospinal fluid suppression.Gradient Echo sequences: characteristics, flip angle, sensitivity to T2*, magnetic susceptibility, spoiled sequences, steady-state sequences and clinical applications.Fat suppression and contrast medium: fat suppression techniques, use of gadolinium, modification of T1 contrast and main indications.Advanced sequences: Diffusion Weighted Imaging, b-value, ADC maps, MR perfusion, CBF, CBV, TTP, DTI/Fiber Tracking and MR spectroscopy.Post-processing and reconstructions: MPR, MIP, functional maps, technical interpretation of derived images and their usefulness in diagnostic practice.Clinical applications: use of MRI in neurological, musculoskeletal, oncological and cardiovascular imaging, with attention to selecting the most appropriate sequence according to the diagnostic question.

At the end of the course, students should be able to:Understand the physical principles underlying Magnetic Resonance Imaging, including spin, precession, Larmor frequency, RF pulses and relaxation phenomena.Describe the meaning of T1, T2 and T2* relaxation times and their effect on image contrast.Distinguish the main MRI weightings and recognize the diagnostic meaning of T1-weighted, T2-weighted and proton density-weighted images.Explain the operating principles of the main acquisition sequences, with particular reference to Spin Echo, Gradient Echo, Fast Spin Echo, Inversion Recovery, FLAIR and STIR.Understand the role of magnetic gradients, the Fourier Transform and K-space in MRI image formation.Identify the main parameters affecting image quality, resolution, contrast, signal-to-noise ratio and examination time.Recognize the main MRI artefacts and understand the technical strategies used to reduce them.Distinguish between 2D, multi-slice and 3D acquisitions, understanding their advantages, limitations and reconstruction possibilities.Understand the role of advanced sequences such as diffusion, perfusion, DTI and spectroscopy, as well as the meaning of the derived functional maps.Apply the acquired knowledge to the reasoned selection of MRI sequences according to the clinical question and the anatomical region being studied.